Island Off Outer Darkness

A performance of very slow magic; Island Off Outer Darkness is the punk of the cozy game crowd. Activities here are deliveries, fishing, gardening, all to a small cast of characters you slowly learn more about... but look at those graphics, those abstract daimonds stretched into the vaguest impression of people. Or, note the fixed resolution of the play window (which you're advised not to change, meaning you're likely to play with your window inset on a void of black). Or, have a taste of the opening dialogue; an assault of NPC coldness, even hostility, drenched in words and ways of speaking that you'll have to spend time thinking through. This game has a warm heart, but it's the warmth of learning a new language: You will stumble a few times, probably feel like an idiot, and be forced to study more than you can really comprehend as you start, but once the pieces begin to fit together, there's the double reward of mastering a new skill, and opening your world to so many new voices. That is to say, Island Off Outer Darkness isn't a game for everyone, but if you give it an earnest try it will stare confidently back at you, standing as an incredibly vulnerable work. There is though…

A very fun and unique game.

Great game, great writing. Fantastic music. Mesmerising. Leaves a lot to the imagination. Love when an indie game takes a single system (in this case, the dialogue system from Morrowind) and focuses in on it. Sometimes endings are sad. Sometimes they're unresolved.

Postman life on an isolated island in the far south neighboring outer darkness, delivering mail day by day to lots of variably cagey people, some more unpleasant than others. everyone feels very grounded and real and eventually has a lot to say, the detail of the world and how its is conveyed to you is very clever. fun little minigames. overall great writing, decent music, clever use of its limited visual style. I enjoy a lot of things inspiring this (as listed in-game) and I can see how they come through but this is still very much doing something unique and doing it well.

This is an incredible game for sickos with 10/10 ambiance, loveable and hateable characters(looking at you Clavicord if i see you again its on sight). If this even slightly appeals to you just buy it trust me its worth your time. The incredible attention to detail plus the whole package of music as you slowly move around a low poly environment chatting with really fleshed out characters who all evoke a strong emotional reaction when you see them both positive and negative. While the ending was not to my taste I very much understand the why it is what it is in the context of the game as a whole.

A very special experience. The combination of the unique setting, engaging characters and writing, and evocative atmosphere and music made for a game I played obsessively until completion. It's slow, more akin to a visual novel than a full on game minus some platforming sections. For the right person though, this will be magic. Highly highly recommended.